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They may be happier than they were in the UK, but research shows that nearly half of workers on expat assignments think their employers should have given them more support when they moved abroad.

A survey of over 400 Britons on foreign assignments found that more than a fifth did not get any help from their employers when they were sent overseas.

Although nearly two-thirds said they enjoyed life abroad more than in the UK, 46 per cent admitted that they would have settled in easier if their company had offered them a helping hand with matters such as language learning and housing costs.

Workers were particularly left in the dark as regards their finances, with only 21 per cent being given financial advice when they relocated. Over half (52 per cent) said they felt they would have benefited from planning their finances more carefully before their move.

The traditional nature of expat postings has changed drastically in recent years, with the typical hardship packages offered to lure workers to far-flung destinations becoming less and less common.

Whereas before the economic crisis, international assignees could expect to enjoy such perks as a moving allowance, free flights home and school fees for their children, only half of those interviewed for the survey said they were given a moving allowance, while 42 per cent were offered flights back home and 41 per cent subsidised housing.

So-called trailing spouses, who follow their partners abroad on work assignments, seemed to get an especially raw deal. Only 13 per cent were offered free flights and over half said they received no support from their partners company at all.

A spokesman for Lloyds TSB International Global Mobility Banking , which commissioned the survey, said: Many companies are currently under pressure to reduce costs and were well aware how expensive overseas assignments can be for employers. But were also aware that most employees really value any help their companies can give to guide them through the logistics of moving overseas.

Shn Norman, a regional director of global mobility services at moving company Crown (Other OTC: CWLDF.PK - news) Relocations, said not helping employees adjust to their new homes could easily backfire on companies.

The ultimate goal for businesses relocating their employees is for them to remain focused on their work-related duties and regain full productivity as quickly as possible. Companies who offer services that help the assignee and their partner to adjust to their new location, like intercultural training, see a really high satisfaction rating," she said.

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Expats struggle with ‘lack of employer support’